ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Wednesday that the unanimous passage of Industrial Relations Bill 2012 from the Senate was a land mark achievement of the present democratic government which will become an act after its approval from the National Assembly by middle of this month.
She was addressing a joint press conference along with President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Pervaiz Shaukat who is also chairman of All Pakistan Labour Union Action Committee here.
Dr Firdous said that protection of the rights of labours was part of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) manifesto and the new legislation will go a long way in protecting the rights of labour community.
She said that from Quaid-e-Awam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to present PPP leadership all have struggled for the protection of labourers rights.
She said the PPP government always endeavored to ensure a balance between the employer and the employees and this bill will further promote harmony.
The minister said that the PPP after coming to power abolished the anti-labour IRO 2002 and introduced this new legislation to protect the rights of labour after the devolution of Labour Ministry to provinces.
She appreciated the efforts of Senator Raza Rabbani,Syed Khursheed Shah, Leader of the House, Nayyer Hussain Bokhari,Opposition Leader in Senate Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi and PML-N leader Ishaq Dar.
She also appreciated the input and contribution of all the political parties and said other stakeholders were also consulted in finalizing the bill.
Responding to the questions of journalists she said that its passage was not a problem from the National Assembly as no pro-labour party will oppose it.
She said that the bill will be tabled in the National Assembly and would be approved within few days.
About ending ban on students unions,she said that after passage of 18th amendment, education has become a provincial issue so the matter can be raised at Council of Common Interest level as the PPP believes that student unions are nursery of political leaders.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that two per cent tax on mobile phone cards and Rs 40,000 to 50,000 on purchase of new vehicle as a license fee for Radio would be imposed after consulting all the stakeholders.
She said that both the recommendations of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting would be referred to the Finance Ministry for approval and it is up to the Ministry to approve the both recommendations or one.
She was of the view that if a person is capable to purchase a Rs 2.5 million vehicle and paying one time radio fee would not be a burden on him.
She said all the political parties have their representation in the Standing Committees of Senate and National Assembly on Information and Broadcasting.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the government believed in freedom of expression and it did not intend to impose curbs on media. The government wants to strengthen and empower the media by making code of conduct in consultation with all the stakeholders, she added.
"I totally dispel the impression that the government has any intention to curb on media", she said.
She said that the PPP wanted to see media becoming an institution. The government has the credit of lifting restrictions from media imposed by the previous dictatorial regime, she recalled.
She said the government was constantly consulting al the concerned quarters and considered their suggestions before formulating any policy, law or regulation.
The minister said the proposed draft of regulation content would be shared with the civil society, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and the general public, which would also be displayed on PEMRA's website for suggestions and recommendations.
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